Publications by Mari

Facing Heartbreak is a valuable resource for all therapists working with spouses and partners of sex addicts. My clients have benefited from it immensely, and it has become an essential part of the work I do. Great book!" -Dr. Ginger Bercaw, PsyD, CST, CSAT, author of, "The Couples Guide to Intimacy"

In addition to the work I do with sex addicts, I am also passionate about working with partners who have been impacted by their significant other's sex addiction. As such, I have written a book for the partner and spouse of sexually addicted individuals with my colleagues and co-authors Dr. Stefanie Carnes, and Anthony Rodriguez, LCSW, “Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for the Partners of Sex Addicts." Here is a peek into the content:

When you discover that the person you loved and trusted most in the world is hiding a secret life as a sex addict, the result can be devastating. Facing that heartbreak is what this book is all about. The healing process will take time regardless of whether you decide to stay in the relationship or leave.

Facing Heartbreak weaves real life stories with practical therapeutic advice and specific tasks that gently educate, empower, and guide the partner of the sex addict through a process of recovery. Readers will learn to heal from the heartbreak and betrayal as they move through the work and exercises in order to discover a new hope and create a life that is safe and healed for themselves."

I understand first hand the pain partners go through. Helping partners move out of the "crazy cycle" and into a process of healing their trauma is why this book was written. So often the partner is cast into the role of the "co-dependent" or "co-addict", or the "mean mommy" or "punitive father". Instead, partners of sex addicts have often been the unwitting victim caught up in the deceptive dance of addiction. Every person deserves a chance to heal and grow. If you are a partner of a sex addict, you deserve that chance as well.

This E-workbook is chock full of creative ideas and includes my most popular exercises and in-office activities for individuals, couples, families and groups that I have successfully used over the years. Each exercise includes instructions, and is available in a professional and organized PDF download/printable format for easy access in order to use over and over again in your own practice for years to come.

The E-Book, The Creative Clinician, contains clinical exercises and activities for therapy clients and groups in private practice or agencies. These E-Book exercises are designed to support healing, growth and insight, and are focused on topics such as Anger Management, Boundaries, Communication Tools, Family of Origin, Couples Support, Addiction & many more!

Behavioral Addictions is one of the most authoritative texts ever written on the subject of behavioral addictions. This comprehensive work explains the criteria used to determine addiction, the evidence for identifying assorted behaviors as addictions, and the evidence-based treatment for each.

DSM-V broke new ground in May of 2013, designating a new disorder called "behavioral addiction" and clinicians immediately wanted to know: how is a behavioral addiction different from an impulse control disorder? What are the criteria for determining that some behaviors are addictions rather than impulses? What, if anything, does this mean in terms of effective treatment?

With contributions from preeminent experts, covering an exhaustive list of behavioral addictions, this book is unique in its coverage of behavioral addictions, their criteria, and treatment. It is a valuable and timely resource for any clinician treating addictions. Coming April 2014.

Upcoming Publications

The first book, "Strength and Honor: True Stories of Struggles and Victories over Sex Addiction" is about men who wanted to share their journey of successfully moving through sex addiction recovery, into lives they are proud of and how they are maintaining their sobriety. These are the actual stories of men who have gone from barely surviving a sexually addictive life, to healing and thriving as they have become men of strength and honor.

Copyright Mari A. Lee, LMFT, CSAT 2011

The second book, "Beyond Betrayal: Healing from His Sex Addiction" are true stories of women who wanted to open up about their healing process in order to support other women on how they reclaimed their lives and relationships. This book shares actual stories about the difficult journey back from betrayal and the gifts along the way.

Copyright Mari A. Lee, LMFT, CSAT 2011

The third book, "From Fairy Tales to Face Lifts: Learning to Love the Image in the Mirror" is for women healing from trauma, infidelity, and heartbreak while restoring self-image and esteem. The book offers encouragement and practical therapy exercises focused on balance, connection and creativity while recovering from relationship and abandonment wounds.

Copyright Mari A. Lee, LMFT, CSAT 2012

The fourth book, "The Gift in the Wound: Stories of Resilience and Courage" is filled with inspiring true life stories of individuals who have forged ahead in spite of great odds, woven together with practical therapy tips and tools to support your own healing journey.

Copyright Mari A. Lee, LMFT, CSAT 2012

Release dates on the above books to be announced so stay tuned!

If you have questions about my books, or if you would like to schedule an appointment in my Glendora, CA office, you are welcome to contact me at 818.521.4370, or contact me via email.